OSTEOFIT Instructors are registered through BCRPA. The BCRPA Fitness Registration Program is a recognized means of gauging expertise, qualifications, and abilities. Successful candidates are recognized as educated, well-trained individuals capable of providing a high quality of service.

OSTEOFIT Instructor Registration Requirements

BCRPA registration in Group Fitness OR Weight Training OR Personal Training prior to OSTEOFIT training course

BCRPA Third Age designation prior to OSTEOFIT training course

OSTEOFIT Instructor Training Course

OSTEOFIT written exam (70% required to pass)

OSTEOFIT Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) valid for 3 years

Current First Aid and CPR

Copies of current certifications.

There is no additional cost to register as an OSTEOFIT instructor. Your BCRPA fitness registration will include OSTEOFIT designation provided all requirements have been met.

At the end of the Instructor Training course, instructors are required to take a multiple-choice, closed book exam. A score of 70% is required to pass. A cost of $30 is applied to the exam. The OSTEOFIT Instructor exam may be proctored. Contact BCRPA for more information.

Course credits

2. What is an OSTEOFIT Instructor’s Scope of Practice?

Based on BC Women's Hospital guidelines and BCRPA standards, the OSTEOFIT instructor is able to:

Provide initial health screening.

Design, modify and instruct safe, effective and appropriate fitness programs to meet the needs of apparently healthy individuals or special population who have received medical clearance* in a group fitness or weight room setting.

Lead exercise sessions based on BC Women's guidelines and BCRPA standards.

Incorporate the use of appropriate equipment based on specialized training and the needs of the participants.

Provide basic nutritional information based on Canada's Guide to Healthy Eating. Participants' requests for advanced nutritional information should be referred to a qualified nutrition professional.

Obtain specialized training and consult with appropriate health care professionals to work with Special Populations (seniors, youth, persons with a disease condition or disorder).

Act as a resource and refer to appropriate health care providers when dealing with participants who have conditions that the OSTEOFIT instructor is not specifically accredited to address.

*Some participants may require medical clearance from a Physician or Nurse Practitioner, those include patients over 69 years of age and/or who answer yes to any questions in the Par Q assessment. OSTEOFIT instructors must ensure that they comply with the terms of such clearance as indicated by the medical practitioner regarding these individuals.

Benefits of registration as a BC Women's OSTEOFIT Instructor

There are a number of benefits of being a certified OSTEOFIT instructor through BCRPA:

3. How Do Instructors Maintain OSTEOFIT Certification?

OSTEOFIT Instructors are required to maintain certification with professional development workshops annually. Instructions are required to renew their registration every 2 years and repeat OSTEOFIT Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) practical exam every 3 years.

OSTEOFIT certification maintenance requirements:

Current BCRPA fitness registration in Group Fitness OR Weight Training OR Personal Training

OSTEOFIT continuing education workshops are offered throughout the year in communities around the province. Workshops are open to OSTEOFIT instructors as well as Physicians, Physiotherapists, Nurses and other allied health care providers.

Workshops are listed below. For more information, contact the Provincial Coordinator at osteofit@cw.bc.ca.

Workshop

Details

Date & Time

Location

A Review of Exercises for those with Osteoporosis

This session will review the current guidelines from Osteoporosis Canada for exercises for those at risk for fractures. Co-presented by Marcella Paoletti, Physiotherapist from BC Women's Osteoporosis Clinic and Debbie Cheong, Master Trainer of Osteofit Instructors. This workshop is open to all instructors and health care professionals.Presented for in-person attendance on April 1, 2015 at BC Women's Health Centre. On-line option also available.Credits: 2.0 BCRPA CECsDownload registration form

This session will explore effective strategies for incorporating balance in exercise programs. Co-presented by Marcella Paoletti, Physiotherapist from the Osteoporosis Clinic at BC Women’s Health Centre and Debbie Cheong, Master Trainer of Osteofit Instructors.This workshop is open to all instructors and health care professionals.Credits:2.0 BCRPA CECsDownload registration form

Workshop available for online viewing.

Access code will be provided upon registration.

Osteofit-Unlimited!

(Registered Osteofit instructors only)

Restricted to Osteofit instructors!Join Debbie Cheong, Master Trainer of Osteofit Instructors for this practical review of the Osteofit program design. The Osteofit instructor training manual has over 80 illustrations and describes more than 25 agility activities that instructors can incorporate into their Osteofit classes. Are you using them all?Credits: 2.0 BCRPA CECsDownload registration form

Workshop available for online viewing.

Access code will be provided upon registration.

Exploring Progressive Overload in Exercise for Seniors

The benefits of strength training for seniors are well documented and most of our exercise programs include some resistance training. Are we providing opportunities for progression? This workshop reviews the principles of Progressive Overload and explores techniques to safely increase intensity for seniors of varying abilities, function and mobility.Presenter: Debbie CheongThis workshop is open to all instructors and health care professionals.Credits: 2.5 BCRPA CECs

Available by Mediasite for online viewing. Access code will be provided upon registration.

A Review of Strength Training Principles for the Older Adult

As our population ages, enrollment in exercise programs for the older, more frail adult continues to increase. How safe is it to include strength training? Which exercises are best for this older population? In this workshop we will review strength training principles, use of resistance, FITT principle, program design and progressions as it applies to seniors. Presenter: Debbie Cheong.This online workshop open to all instructors and health care professionals. Credits: 2.0 BCRPA credits

Available by Mediasite for online viewing. Access code will be provided upon registration.

Arthritis and Exercise Cautions and Modifications

As fitness instructors we are facing an increase in the number of older adults attending our classes. These vibrant and active participants present with various chronic conditions of which Arthritis is a common concern. This workshop will provide an overview of Arthritis and the modifications and precautions necessary to accommodate individuals in OSTEOFIT classes who present with this disease condition.Presenter: Wendy Turner, Physiotherapist at Lions Gate Hospital Arthritis Program. This workshop is open to all instructors and health care professionals.

4. Where Can I Get the OSTEOFIT Manual, Forms and Fit Tips?

Manual

The OSTEOFIT Manual is a resource for anyone training to become an OSTEOFIT instructor. It complements the in-person training developed for OSTEOFIT instructors by BC Women’s Hospital’s Osteoporosis Program. Manuals are included with the instructor training course. Fit Tips are found in the Osteofit manual.

The OSTEOFIT manual was updated in 2011. Current Osteofit Instructors who would like to upgrade to the revised manual can contact the OSTEOFIT Provincial Coordinator at osteofit@cw.bc.ca